Scholar of Saint literature and Kirtankar H.B.P. Dr. Kisan Maharaj Sakhare passes away

Pune – H.B.P. Dr. Kisan Maharaj Sakhare, a revered scholar of Saint literature and senior spiritual orator, passed away on Monday, 20^th January at 10:30 p.m. at a private hospital in Chinchwad due to cardiac arrest. H.B.P. Dr. Sakhare, 89, had been hospitalized two days ago due to health issues. While undergoing treatment, he suffered a severe heart attack. due to which he passed away. His last rites were conducted on Tuesday (21 ^st January) afternoon in Alandi.

He is survived by his daughter Yamuna Kankal and two sons Yashodhan Sakhare and Chidambareshwar Sakhare. The death of H.B.P. Dr. Kisan Maharaj Sakhare is a great loss for the Warkari sect. The teachings he gave to the society and the legacy of Saint literature will always be inspiring. He has blessed the work of Sanatan Sanstha. He was also present at the ‘Sarva Sampradaya Satsanga’ organized by Sanatan Sanstha.

Eminent scholar of Saint literature Pujya Dr. Kisan Maharaj Sakhare ji renounces his body

We pay our humble obeisances at his holy feet 🙏🏻

The demise of Pujya Dr. Kisan Maharaj Sakhare ji is an irreparable loss to the Warkari Sampradaya. His invaluable teachings to society and… pic.twitter.com/laLXmWlmmK

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) January 21, 2025

Life journey and spiritual contribution

Dr. Kisan Maharaj Sakhare was born on the auspicious occasion of Shrikrushna Janmashtami in the year 1938 in Pan Chincholi, Latur District. His family had a legacy of Saint literature. His father and grandfather studied Saint literature and carried it forward. By adopting the Guru-Shishya tradition at the Sadhakashram in Alandi, Pune District, he studied Saint literature, philosophy and grammar in depth. He studied under the guidance of renowned philosopher N.P. Modak. In the year 1960, the responsibility of the Sadhakashram came on his shoulder. Since then, he selflessly taught Saint literature and philosophy to many students who came to the Sadhakashram. Dr. Sakhare dedicated his life to the study and dissemination of Saint literature, philosophy, and spirituality. After taking charge of the Sadhakashram in Alandi in 1960, he tirelessly mentored numerous students in the teachings of Saint literature and philosophy. Through kirtans and discourses, he brought spiritual enlightenment to rural Maharashtra for decades, training thousands of kirtankars and spiritual speakers. He also served as a trustee of the Shri Kshetra Alandi Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Sansthan and chaired the development committee for the Alandi-Dehu region. Dr. Sakhare was instrumental in publishing an audiovisual edition of the revered text Dnyaneshwari and authored 115 books in Sanskrit and Marathi. His notable works include annotated versions of the Dnyaneshwari, Eknathi Bhagwat, Tukaram Maharaj Gatha, Bhagavad Gita, Brahmasutras, and Upanishads.

Pillar of the Warkari tradition

Sakhare Maharaj conveyed the ideas of Gita, Dnyaneshwari, Bhagwat and Upanishads to the people of rural areas through his discourses. He started free Bal Sanskar camps for value-based education. Due to this, thousands of students became good citizens. He dedicated his last moments of life to enrich the Warkari tradition.

Literature and Social Work

Dr. Sakhare Maharaj produced a total of 115 books. Books like Sarth Dnyaneshwari, Sarth Bhagavad Gita, Sarth Tukaram Gatha and Sarth Eknathi Bhagwat written by him have become invaluable contributions to the Warkari tradition. He did great social work against addiction and actively contributed to initiatives like Annachhatra (free meals), Library and Bhakt Niwas.

Awards and Honors

He was honoured with the prestigious Dnyanoba-Tukaram Award by the Maharashtra Government in 2018 and a D.Litt. by Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth. H.B.P. Dr. Kisan Maharaj Sakhare honoured with ‘Jyotirlinga Award’ Like every year, in the year 2024, four day Maharudra Swahakar and Akhand Harinam Saptah programme was held with enthusiasm at Shri Kshetra Bhimashankar, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. On this occasion, he was given the ‘Jyotirlinga Award’ by the Sansthan.

Sanatan Sanstha and H.B.P. Dr. Kisan Maharaj Sakhare

He had come to address the ‘Sarva Sampradaya Satsang’ held in Pune on 24 ^th February, 2002. In the year 2011, he had sent a message on the occasion of the 12^th anniversary of the daily ‘Sanatan Prabhat’.

Sachchidananda Parabrahman Dr. Jayant Athavale’s writing on H.B.P. Dr. Kisan Maharaj Sakhare

The tradition of the Sakhare family to teach the devotee by sacrificing own life

‘Once, Kisan Maharaj Sakhare’s father had repeatedly told his disciple how to remove the lingadeha (subtle body) from the Kundalini and sacrifice the body, but the disciple did not understand it. He kept asking questions about it again and again. One morning, when the two of them went to the riverbank, he again told his disciple about the practice; but still the disciple did not understand. Then the Saint asked him, ‘Do you want to see how it is done ?’ The disciple said ‘Yes’. Then the Saint asked the disciple to place a cloth on the ground and he himself sat on it with folded lap. In a short time, he took out the lingadeha from the kundalini and left the body.’ (Reference: Satsang held by H.H. Dr. Athavale at the ashram in Sukhsagar, Ponda, Goa, 15.05.2002)

Date: 1 ^st March 2003

To,
H.H. Shri Kisan Maharaj Sakhare,
With prostration.

I came to know that you met with a serious accident. I have been hearing from time to time that your health is improving day by day through the last three weeks. By the grace of God, a major crisis in your life was averted. May your health continue to improve rapidly, and you will be able to do your work as before and resume your valuable work as soon as possible. This is my prayer to God.

May I always get your blessings.

Yours,
Dr. Jayant Balaji Athavale